It’s the holiday season. For many people, that means that you’re going to be eating and enjoying more sweets and candies than usual – from new candies for the Christmastime season to the older candies that have been sitting in…
If your dentist has determined that you have a cavity, it is always a good idea to get a filling as soon as possible. The procedure for placing a filling is simpler and less invasive than other forms of dental…
Modern dental fillings are made of immensely durable material – able to withstand hard chewing and last in your mouth for decades without requiring replacement. But nothing is quite as strong as a real tooth. That means that you could…
Human beings associate memories with smells. So it’s not a surprise that we feel uncomfortable around bad breath. When we are close to someone, the last thing we want them to think about is our breath. But bad breath can…
There are a lot of things to look forward to each and every holiday season. There’s the time we get to spend with family. There’s the presents. There’s the days of work. There’s the music. But, perhaps the best part…
An erupted tooth is one that has broken through the gums. This occurs as first our baby teeth and then our adult teeth grow in, but does not always happen correctly with wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are a third set…
After months or years with your braces on, you expect to take them off and reveal a perfect smile. But while your teeth may be perfectly straight, many patients find that braces have left them with staining that keeps their…
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a disease that can dramatically impact oral health. If it becomes advanced, it can cause the bones of the jaw to decay and teeth to fall out. Gum disease occurs when plaque…
In the past, some of the only solutions for missing teeth were dentures, and many people even today find dentures to be uncomfortable and inconvenient. They also ran the risk of falling out or being too visible, which meant that…
It is relatively common for people of all ages to experience some fear or anxiety when visiting the dentist, and children are especially prone to this given their limited dental experience. Those who have never visited the dentist or have…
Monday: 8-4pm
Tuesday: 8-6pm
Wednesday-Thursday: 8-7pm
Friday: 8-5pm
Saturday by appt.
General Dentist
Dr. Verdugo is from Tucson AZ where he received his education, graduating in 1970 with a Chemical Engineering Degree. He worked for Chevron for three years before entering UOP School of Dentistry. Since his graduation in 1976, he has practiced in the Monterey-Salinas area and has continued his professional education in Endontics, Implantology, and Restorative Dentistry. He is available weekdays, weekends and evenings. Speaks Spanish.
General Dentist
Dr. Zernicke grew up in Nevada and received his bachelors degree at the University of Nevada. Dr. Zernicke was the sole recipient of the State of Nevada’s scholarship fund awarded for scholastic achievement which gave him the opportunity to attend Dental School at the University of Southern California. He has been practicing dentistry since 1990 both in Southern California and here in the Salinas area since 1996. Dr. Zernicke is trained in all phases of Dentistry from cosmetics to endodontics. He is available weekdays and evenings. Speaks Spanish.
Member of American Dental Association
Member of California Dental Association